Milan boss MassimilianoAllegri has defended Robinho from criticism after his recent errors in front of goal.

The Brazilian incredibly failed to score from a favourable position against Genoa on Friday night, but the tactician is standing by the attacker.

“Robinho has played well over the last few games,” the former Cagliari boss said ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game against Plzen.

“He just needs to stay serene and, like last year, have a great season by scoring 15 goals. He’s not the only player in the world to have missed a chance.

“You can’t doubt Robinho because he’s missed two scoring opportunities. A Serie B player missed even more of a sitter recently…

“By the time the championship comes to an end, we won’t be missing the goals of Robinho or AlexandrePato either.

“Pato is well, he just needs to play and he will do at Prague tomorrow.”

Robinho, 27, has scored two goals in eight League games this term.

As well as Pato, the Milan boss has confirmed that summer signing Philippe Mexes will play in the Champions League this week after recently fracturing his hand. He has selection worries though.

“Mark Van Bommel is not available. Gianluca Zambrotta has just returned after two days of having a fever. Kevin Prince Boateng has picked up a back problem too.”

Milan have already qualified behind group winners Barcelona, but the Coach still wants a performance from his players.

“The game doesn’t count for anything, but we are Milan and we’ll have to play to win. Coming off the pitch with a negative result wouldn’t be good for our mental state – it would anger us and we don’t want that.

“It should be a good training session as we’ll play on Tuesday and then again on Sunday. We’ll have a good deal of time to recover.”

Allegri then switched his attention to Serie A and Juventus – the League leaders who are currently two points above the Rossoneri and Udinese.

“When a side [Juventus] is unbeaten after 13 games then it means that they are good technically, they have character and everything needed to fight until the very end,” he added.

“We have to do the best we can during our next three League games before Christmas. We’ll look to end the solar year in the best shape possible.

“Inter? They are 13 points from us and 15 from Juve. There are a lot of sides in between us too, but they have what is needed to climb back up the table – especially when Wesley Sneijder and Douglas Maicon return.

“They can start a winning streak of games.”

There was also the inevitable question about the January transfer market, a subject which doesn’t interest the tactician right now.

“We are close to the window and it is normal that there is talk of Carlos Tevez and others. But what counts is that our squad will be like this until at least January 1 and I’m happy with it.”